Preventing Compassion Fatigue and Promoting Compassion Satisfaction

Pardess Eleanor, Ph.D. APA presentation, Washington, D.C., 8 August 2011

Background

Selah- The Israel Crisis Management CenterSelah- The Israel Crisis Management Center

Emergency and longer term support to Emergency and longer term support to immigrants in disaster situationsimmigrants in disaster situations

Photographer: Edward Kaprov

TRAINING AND SUPPORT PROGRAMSTRAINING AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Method:Method:

3 studies on separate samples of volunteers (N=310) were 3 studies on separate samples of volunteers (N=310) were conducted including a diary study and experimental designconducted including a diary study and experimental design

Compassion Fatigue & Satisfaction

An Attachment Perspective:

Research FindingsResearch Findings

Factors associated with compassion satisfactionFactors associated with compassion satisfaction::

Dispositional factors-Dispositional factors- Negative Negative correlation with attachment correlation with attachment avoidanceavoidance

Contextual factorsContextual factors

Mediating factorsMediating factors::Emotional regulationEmotional regulationMeaningfulnessMeaningfulnessHopefulnessHopefulness

Study 3-Study 3- The effect of security The effect of security priming on anticipation of priming on anticipation of compassion fatigue & compassion fatigue & satisfactionsatisfaction

Security priming Security priming (visualizing a supportive attachment figure, versus an acquaintance) increased:

-willingness to reach out (and cope with possible -willingness to reach out (and cope with possible ambivalence, withdrawal or rejection of help).ambivalence, withdrawal or rejection of help).

-positive appraisal of the recipients' strengths and -positive appraisal of the recipients' strengths and ability to benefit from supportability to benefit from support. .

-anticipation that the caregiving experience will be -anticipation that the caregiving experience will be rewardingrewarding..

Additional FindingAdditional Findings:s:

Discussion- Attachment security – dispositional or Discussion- Attachment security – dispositional or contextual – as a resource that may reduce susceptibility to contextual – as a resource that may reduce susceptibility to burnout and secondary traumatic stress. burnout and secondary traumatic stress.

The importance of examining intra-personal varianceThe importance of examining intra-personal variance

Research limitations & future directionsResearch limitations & future directions

Key Factors:Key Factors:

MMeaningeaning

OOpportunitiepportunitiessVValidationalidation

IInvolvementnvolvement

NNatureature

GGrouproup

Moving Moving EncountersEncounters

Photographer: Vladimir Godnik

Moving Moving EncountersEncounters

MOVING EncountersMOVING EncountersMoving in relationship to oneself, others, and the worldMoving in relationship to oneself, others, and the world

Movement Movement –– •Nature excursionsNature excursions•GroundingGrounding•BreathingBreathing

E-motionE-motion – –

•A shared emotional voyage A shared emotional voyage

Photographer: Edward Kaprov

Narrative PracticesNarrative Practices Linking StoriesLinking Stories

Write or tell a brief story about…Topic

A pleasant or an unpleasant experience during work and its effect on the relationship

Awareness of pleasant and unpleasant sensations, feelings or thoughts

An experience of noticing and responding to your own emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low sense of personal accomplishment

Burnout

An encounter that was meaningful to you; what made it meaningful, what personal capacities did you have that contributed to the meaning

Meaning

A time when you effectively said “No!” or set a clear boundary while maintaining a supportive relationship

Boundaries or conflict management

A time when you faced choices about balancing caring for yourself and caring for others

Self-care

An encounter involving being present to suffering: sadness, pain and uncertainty

Being with suffering

Narrative & Appreciative Inquiry Themes

Adapted from Krasner et al. (2009). Association of an Educational Program in Mindful Communication with burnout, empathy and attitudes among primary care physicians. JAMA. Vol. 302 (12) pp 1284-1293

MOVING Encounters- MOVING Encounters- Exercise 1Exercise 1

• Find a partner. Interview each other for 5 minutes

• ASK/ANSWER: Think of a difficult helping encounter. • What feelings did you deal with? How?

• What values, strengths or life experience did this coping express?

• Where have you been moved or taken to as a result of this experience?

Shalif, Y., and Leibler, M. (2002). Working With People Experiencing Terrorist Attacks In Israel: A Narrative Perspective, Journal of Systemic

Therapies. 21(3). pp. 60-70

MOVING Encounters - MOVING Encounters - Exercise 2Exercise 2

• Remember an early experience (short story or anecdote) from Remember an early experience (short story or anecdote) from which you draw: strength, empowerment or inspiration for which you draw: strength, empowerment or inspiration for working with people who suffer from trauma.working with people who suffer from trauma.

– An experience from your: roots, family of origin, community An experience from your: roots, family of origin, community or culture.or culture.

– The experience could relate to values, beliefs, symbols or The experience could relate to values, beliefs, symbols or rituals that are important for you.rituals that are important for you.

• After listening to the first person tell his anecdote, a person that After listening to the first person tell his anecdote, a person that resonates, is touched and/or moved by it will tell her anecdote, resonates, is touched and/or moved by it will tell her anecdote, and so on. (We call this "Linking Stories"). and so on. (We call this "Linking Stories").

Stories of InspirationStories of Inspiration

Shalif, Y. & Paran, R. (2008). Learning from children and adults in times of war: Stories from the shelters in the north of Israel. The International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, pp 16-25

Discussion

The research findings and accumulated experience support Figley’s modelfor maximizing compassion satisfaction through-

• Affect • Resources • Self/Soul care

Radey, M. & Figley, C. (2007). The social psychology of compassion. Journal of Clinical Social Work. 207-214.

Practical Implications-

• Nurturing a sense of connectedness, hopefulness and meaning can enhance compassion satisfaction.

• Expanding awareness, openness & acceptance of  complex mixtures of emotions can facilitate growth